plainlyExponent calculator
A base. A power.
Get the answer, with the meaning behind it.
Result
1,024
2¹⁰ = 1,024
2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 1,024
Shown to at most 12 significant digits. This calculator uses ordinary browser number precision and real-number results.
Free. No account. Your numbers stay in this tab.
What an exponent
actually means
The base is the number being used. A positive whole-number exponent tells you how many copies of that base to multiply. For 3⁴, multiply 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 to get 81. This exponent calculator evaluates one base and one exponent, rather than an entire algebraic expression.
Negative and zero exponents
A negative exponent takes the reciprocal. For example, 5⁻² = 1 ÷ 5² = 1/25 = 0.04. Every nonzero base raised to 0 equals 1. A zero base with a negative exponent would divide by zero. This tool does not assign a value to 0⁰ because its interpretation depends on the mathematical context.
Fractional powers and roots
An exponent of 1/2 gives the square root; 1/3 gives the cube root. For a positive base, 8^(2/3) means the cube root of 8, squared: 2² = 4. Enter the fraction itself when you mean an exact ratio. Typing 0.333333 is an approximation to 1/3.
A negative base needs extra care. Whole-number powers are supported, and exact fractions are reduced before checking the denominator. An odd denominator permits a real root, so (−8)^(1/3) = −2. An even root of a negative number needs complex arithmetic, which this tool does not provide.
Read the result
with its limits
| Expression | Meaning | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2¹⁰ | Ten copies of 2 multiplied | 1,024 |
| (−3)³ | Three copies of −3 multiplied | −27 |
| 5⁻² | Reciprocal of 5² | 0.04 |
| 9^(1/2) | Square root of 9 | 3 |
| 8^(2/3) | Cube root, then square | 4 |
Large and tiny results use scientific notation. The calculator accepts bases up to 1e100 in magnitude and exponents from −10,000 to 10,000. Fraction parts have the same whole-number bound. It reports an error when the answer overflows or a nonzero result underflows to zero.
The displayed answer is rounded, and floating-point calculations can introduce small errors. It is not an arbitrary-precision integer calculator. See Math Is Fun’s explanation of exponents and MDN’s description of numeric powers. For rounding measured values, use our significant figures calculator.
Questions about
powers and roots
Can I enter a negative exponent?
Yes. A negative exponent gives a reciprocal. For instance, 2⁻³ = 1/8 = 0.125. The base cannot be zero.
Why do parentheses matter for negative bases?
(−2)² squares the negative base and equals 4. The expression −2² usually means the negative of 2², which is −4. This calculator treats the entire base field as the base.
Can I calculate a cube root of a negative number?
Yes. Enter the negative base and the exact exponent 1/3. The calculator reduces fractions and supports real roots with odd denominators.
Does this store my calculations?
No. There is no saved history or upload. Reloading the page restores the example.
Keep the working clear.
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